
Beastly
An Anthology of Shapeshifting Fairy Tales
Jennifer Pullen(Author)
Lanternfish Press
Published on 2. April 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
320 pages
978-1-941360-93-4 (ISBN)
Description
Everyone is familiar with the tale: a man marries a woman, and she transforms into a crane. Or a seal. Or a bear. Or a woman marries a beast, who transforms into a man; or a man who transforms into a beast. Tales of shapeshifting animal spouses have long been a staple of folklore around the world.
In this collection, fantasy and fairy tale scholar Jennifer Pullen selects fourteen classic tales that explore the boundary between the human and the beastly, showing how their telling and retelling reflects a constant longing for-and terror of-what seems to be "other."
In this collection, fantasy and fairy tale scholar Jennifer Pullen selects fourteen classic tales that explore the boundary between the human and the beastly, showing how their telling and retelling reflects a constant longing for-and terror of-what seems to be "other."
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
Estimated 4 B&W illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 200 mm
Width: 133 mm
Thickness: 24 mm
Weight
336 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-941360-93-4 (9781941360934)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
02/2026
Lanternfish Press
€9.49
Available for download
Person
Jennifer Pullen holds a PhD in Creative Writing from Ohio University, as well as degrees from Eastern Washington University and Whitworth University. Her work has appeared in journals and anthologies including F(r)iction, Phantom Drift Limited, Corvid Queen, Pinch, and Strange Machines (Apex Publishing). Her books include A Bead of Amber on Her Tongue and Fantasy Fiction: A Writer's Guide and Anthology, the first comprehensive history of fantasy and craft guide. She grew up running wild in the forests of Washington State. She has since been sufficiently domesticated to become an Associate Professor of Creative Writing at Ohio Northern University.
Content
Cupid and Psyche By Lucius Apuleius
The Green Serpent By Marie-Catherine Le Jumel de Barneville, Baroness d'Aulnoy
Beauty and the Beast By Jeanne-Marie LePrince de Beaumont
The White Cat By Madame D'Aulnoy
The Little Mermaid By Hans Christian Andersen
The Fisherman and his Soul By Oscar Wilde
East of the Sun and West of the Moon By Peter Christen Asbjornsen and Jorgen Moe
The She-Bear By Giambattista Basile
Mr. Fox By Joseph Jacobs
Bisclavret By Marie de France
The Good Man O' Wastness By Walter Traill Dennison
The Robe of Feathers By Grace James
The Fair Melusina By Horace E Scudder
Prince Bairam and the Fairy Bride By Reverend Charles Swynnerton
The Green Serpent By Marie-Catherine Le Jumel de Barneville, Baroness d'Aulnoy
Beauty and the Beast By Jeanne-Marie LePrince de Beaumont
The White Cat By Madame D'Aulnoy
The Little Mermaid By Hans Christian Andersen
The Fisherman and his Soul By Oscar Wilde
East of the Sun and West of the Moon By Peter Christen Asbjornsen and Jorgen Moe
The She-Bear By Giambattista Basile
Mr. Fox By Joseph Jacobs
Bisclavret By Marie de France
The Good Man O' Wastness By Walter Traill Dennison
The Robe of Feathers By Grace James
The Fair Melusina By Horace E Scudder
Prince Bairam and the Fairy Bride By Reverend Charles Swynnerton